|
Tuesday's Internet Edition, January 06, 2009.
Wilton man killed in accident remembered as loving husband, father
|
Photo courtesy to River Valley Times
Wilton resident Keith Harris, remembered for his love of life and generosity to others, lost his life Saturday, Sept. 6 in an accident on his property in Wilton.
|
By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
-
Wilton resident Keith Harris, 48, lost his life Saturday evening, Sept. 6 in an explosion on his ranch in Wilton. The incident is under investigation, but Wilton Fire District (WFD) Chief Tom Dark said, “It was just a tragic accidental explosion that took this man’s life. It was very unfortunate.”
WFD Engine 81 was the first to arrive at the scene of the accident at 9:08 p.m.. They were dispatched at 8:59 p.m., and Reach Air Ambulance arrived at 9:23 p.m. and departed for UC Davis Medical Center at 9:38 p.m.
“The crews did a good job; they did everything they could to save his life,” Chief Dark said. “But his injuries were so severe they couldn’t save him.” Dark said that, because of the seriousness of the emergency, counseling services were made available to the crews.
According to Dark, the WFD left the premises about 1:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 7 and returned later at 8 a.m. “The next morning, in cooperation with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department, we had a ladder unit from Cosumnes dispatched to look at the roof,” Dark said. He added that all the agencies were working together to determine the cause of the incident.
The local Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was also dispatched to the scene. According to Nina Delgadillo, senior special agent, ATF was called to assist with the processing of the scene. “We were called in because of our expertise,” Delgadillo said.
Friends, family members and neighbors said they remember Harris for his love of life, encouragement and generosity to others. Kim Wilfley, a close family friend, said, “It didn’t matter if you knew him for 10 minutes or 40 years, he always made you feel like you were someone and welcome. He always made time for his children; they could talk to their dad about anything.”
Chris Lucchetti, sister-in-law to Harris, said she admired his love of the outdoors and how hard he worked tending the land. Born and raised in Sacramento, he relished the open space and quiet of Wilton. “As a rancher, he raised cattle and hay, but he also did irrigation systems and built ponds,” said Lucchetti. “He also had owned West Coast Tree Service."
Known as a rancher, Harris had a wide range of daily activities including tending his latest venture - a vineyard. He could also be found working on irrigation systems, digging ponds or repairing farm equipment. “Sometimes it was hard to get him off the ranch,” Wilfley said. “He loved the land. And he loved to find farm equipment that didn’t work so he could fix it. In his workshop there wasn’t much he couldn’t do.”
Always supportive of youth activities and causes, Harris was known to buy FFA and 4-H-raised livestock to add to his herd. “All his cows had names,” Wilfley said. “The cows would recognize his truck and would run toward him. It was so funny to watch.”
Wilfley describes him as a person who was just fun as well as generous. “Many people don’t know this, but he was always fixing stuff for people,” she said. “If he didn’t have the part, he would just go out and buy what was needed for someone else.”
Mr. Harris is survived by his wife of 19 years, Mary Catherine (Cathy), daughter Katie and son Kevin. He is also survived by stepdaughter Michelle Alexander and her husband, Patrick and their children Maddori, Zachary and Peyton; stepson Michael Votaw and his wife Melissa Hart Votaw; mother and father Al and Jacquie Harris; uncle Eugene Harris; sister Chris Mangini and her husband Allan; and nephew Cliff Cordell, son of his sister Karen Harris (deceased).
On Saturday, Sept. 13, a celebration of Mr. Harris’ life was held at the Harris family ranch for family and friends. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that remembrances be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Sacramento and Northern California, 3641 North Freeway Blvd, Suite 185 Sacramento, CA 95834, or to any youth organization of their choice.
|
Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
Web page design,
Copyright 2005, EZ Edit Web Publishing.
|
|
| |